Mexico misses 2020 calendar deadline

Earlier this week Mexican Grand Prix organisers missed a deadline for its inclusion on the 2020 calendar sparking fears about the future of the race.

Concerns about the future of the race surfaced in February when the president of Mexico suggested that the race could lose its government funding which is reported to be worth in the region of £16million.

The circuit organisers have now missed a deadline for its inclusion on the 2020 calendar meaning that they now join Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain in having races that are not guaranteed to take place next year.

A statement released by the organisers said: “After meeting the deadline to keep the date that has been enjoyed until now by the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Mexico, we announce that the organisation of the event has lost the preferential right to keep that date within the 2020 championship;”

“negotiations with both F1 and the authorities of the country continue with the best spirit to look for viable alternatives for the permanence of this competition in Mexico.”

Since Liberty took over Formula 1 they have always maintained that their preference is to ensure existing races are a priority and that they do not want to flood the calendar with new races that don’t have a strong fanbase.

With five circuits that now have contracts in doubt for 2020 pressure is building on the owners and it has been reported by motorsport.com that F1 and the FIA may discuss the 2020 calendar at the World Motorsport Council gathering next week.